Cereal Box Weed Barrier

I hate feeding the land fill so I am always looking for ways to reuse my trash. I saved up cereal boxes and packaging for the last month to use as a weed barrier for my front flower bed. If our trash is going to go under the earth it might as well be serving a useful purpose.

Step 1: Materials

You'll need some boxes and land cleared for your garden bed. You will also need some potting soil or top soil. I used sixteen bags in the area in front of my house. I also had some sandstone rocks I found to edge the bed. A rake or shovel will come in handy at the end.

Step 2: Disassemble Boxes and Lay Them Out

I had a team of three little boys helping for me. The only problem I had was one who wanted to save his lego boxes. He is my hoarder.

Step 3: Add Your Edger

Covering the outside edge of the boxes prevents weeds from coming up all the way to the edge and holds the boxes down as well.

Step 4: Wet the Boxes

Hose off the boxes. This helps them begin decomposing and also helps them no slide around.

Step 5: Add Your Soil

I laid out the bags around the edge. One of the boys cut the bags opened and we all dumped.

Step 6: Spread the Dirt

Use a shovel or rake to spread the dirt. Here is the finished product ready for flowers.

Comments

[TheOriginalNerd]

I don't understand why the cereal boxes. Could you please explain that better? Why are they there? What purpose do they serve?

[LydiaH19]

The cardboard smothers the weeds and grass in a new area that formerly didn't have a bed. I think I should have probably double layered it. I would have done that if I did it again. The only grass growing there so far grows between boxes that don't overlap enough. Sorry I didn't explain it clearly enough. Thanks for the question.

[TheOriginalNerd]

Ah, thank you! And thanks for sharing your instructable!

[aaahotdog]

Thanks for sharing. Love your idea.